If someone contacts you and threatens to pull the plug on your electricity, gas or other utility, be very skeptical — especially if you’ve paid the bills on time. Scammers are out there preying on consumers, often targeting vulnerable folks such as senior citizens and non-English speakers. They threaten then demand immediate payment, and are active in person, via telephone and online. They can be very convincing, so beware.

Hawaiian Electric and other utilities are in the midst of a campaign to educate consumers on how to avoid and report such predatory scams. HECO advises to hang up or shut the door, then report the incident to its customer service center: on Oahu, it’s (808) 548-7311; Maui, (808) 871-9777; Molokai and Lanai: 1-877-871-8461; Hilo, (808) 969-6999; Kona, (808) 329-3584; and Waimea, (808) 885-4605.

Find traffic solution to Pearl Harbor day

This could be the Pro Bowl Carmageddon on steroids.

Remember that, about a year ago? The freeway was a parking lot, and many football fans missed a lot of the game. Now the 75th anniversary of the Dec. 7 attack on Pearl Harbor is threatening to snarl the traffic again. Thousands are expected to make their way there for the observance, and thousands more will be just trying to get to work. Maybe Pearl Harbor workers could take the day off, or flex hours. It’s worth the effort, right?